What Are Casita Homes?

Have you ever wanted to add an extra living space to your property? What about a way to have a rental, in-laws quarters, or a small home office? Well, a Casita home can do just that for you. However, understanding what a Casita home is can feel overwhelming and confusing. In this blog, we help you understand the overall idea of what a Casita home is.

What is a Casita Home?

A Casita home is a smaller residence on your property. Typically, this is a 1 or 2-bedroom space that must have its own private kitchen and bathroom area. In many cases, your Casita home can be a converted garage or above garage apartment, a modular ADU, park model tiny homes or something that has been completely stick-built on the property. These structures are great for housing aging parents, young adults starting out or as a way to create some income to rent out to a young couple or retiree. 

Is a Casita Home And An ADU The Same Thing?

Yes and no. In most cases, Casitas would fall under the idea of a detached ADU. This is because most areas use the terms Casita, and ADU interchangeably. However, in some instances, Casitas are used to specify a specific look and style. Typically, a Casita style will have Stucco Exteriors, clay tile style roofs, as well as arched windows and entries.  

However, a Casita ADU is not typically the same thing as an interior or attached ADU.

How Big Can a Casita Home Be?

Casita home sizes will be determined by your local zoning board. However, if you are looking for general sizing requirements, they typically can not exceed 1200 square feet or a certain percentage of the primary dwelling’s size. For example, Texas ADU Laws state that the ADU, or casita, can be no larger than 50% of the primary dwelling or 1200 square feet, whichever is smaller.

One thing to keep in mind as you look into Casitas is that every state will have different guidelines for its sizing and allowances. If you are wondering what your state has to say about ADUs or Casitas, check out the table below. Each state will guide you through what every county requires for your ADU to be approved.

What Are The Benefits Of A Casita?

Offers Affordable Housing

Did you know that Zillow states the typical rental cost is over $2,000 as of September 2025? Compared to just $1,185 in 2020, it’s easy to see that housing is becoming more and more expensive. However, by creating an ADU, you can offer housing at an average cost of $1,400 per month. Imagine being able to help your loved ones save money, be close to you, and have a better quality of life. When there are that many pros in just one aspect of the process, it seems like a no-brainer!

Flexible Use

Did you know that over 20% of the working population engages in some form of remote work? Not everyone needs a casita as an extra living space, but having a casita available as a workspace is a great way to enjoy the work-life balance that remote work offers. On the other hand, you could rent out the Casita to someone looking for small office space. No matter how you use it, a Casita can be a great way to create a multifunctional workspace. 

Additional Income

As we mentioned, the typical Casita rents out for $1,400 a month. However, what if you chose to live in the Casita and rent out the “main house” to tenants? The typical 2-bedroom 1.5 bath house rents for $2,300 a month in a market that is not as “hot” as major metro areas. SO imagine benign able to rent out your home in Austin, Texas, for nearly $3,000 a month. This means that you could continue living on your property and make nearly $1,600 a month more by renting out the main house. 

Aging in Place

One of the most challenging things in life is saying goodbye to the home you have lived in for decades. However, by adding an ADU to your property, you can continue to enjoy the property that you have called home well into your golden years. To do this, you could rent out the ADU or main house to your family. This allows you to stay at the property you love while enjoying the company and assistance from your family. 

Short-Term Rental Income

In some areas, your casita can be used as a short-term rental, like an Airbnb. In fact we have seen some people able to rent out their ADUs from Zook Cabins for $375 or more a night. This means that in just 5 nights a month, you can make well over $1,800 especially when you figure in what you charge for a cleaning fee and other perks that you are willing offer by creating a luxury stay.

While this may sound like it is too good to be true, it’s a big reason why people have chosen to add a Casita to their property when they don’t “need” a space like this yet.

Are There Any Cons to Having a Casita?

Additional Maintenance

When you own a Casita, some additional maintenance requirements come with it. This should be no more than the general maintenance of your home, perhaps less, since it is a new build home. However, as the owner of the casita, you will be responsible for ensuring the repairs are completed. If you want to prevent yourself from looking like “the bad guy,” you could have a property management group be the ones who oversee all of these projects. 

Neighbors In Close Proximity

If you plan to live on your property and rent out the home or the casita, your neighbors may be very close to you. For example, in Illinois, your house needs to be within 150 feet of the residence (which is half a football field). If it is your family, this can be great to be with in walking distance. However, if you are renting out to someone else with whom you prefer to be private, it can feel overwhelming. Conversely, you can make a privacy “wall” by planting some tall shrubs like Arborvitae, Forsythia, Pampas Grass, and Lemon Grass, especially if you live in an area that has lots of bugs. 

Increased Tax Burden

While having an ADU can be a great way to age in place or earn extra money, there is typically an increase in your property taxes that you would need to pay. This is because you now have double the housing on the same parcel of land, resulting in an increased overall value. 

However, if you conduct thorough research to understand your construction costs and rental market opportunities, you can offset the increased taxes without it affecting your overall income.

Unfortunately, we can not give you a generalized answer as to how much an ADU will increase your property value taxes because they are assessed by your local county.

What makes a Casita Different from an In-law’s Quarters or a Mother-in-law suite?

The most significant difference between a casita and an In-laws’ quarters, or a mother-in-law suite, is the legality of how they are viewed. 

For example, you may have a basement conversion apartment for an aging parent, yet it may not have a full kitchen. With this minor feature missing, it can not be considered a Casita or ADU. This is because an ADU or Casita needs to be able to stand alone with all the necessary features as if it were its own home. 

Can Casita Homes Be Used As An Airbnb?

It depends on your zoning ordinance. In some places, Casitas can be rented out for Airbnb with no problem or by working with the zoning board for a special use application. However, in some areas, Casitas or ADUs are strictly forbidden for short-term rental use. 

The thought behind this is that by requiring your casita home to be used as a long-term rental. The idea is that by banning short-term rentals, the use of your Casita will allow for more affordable housing in the area. Additionally, many places require a sufficient number of parking spaces for the number of people living in the ADU. 

If you want to see how some people are renting out their ADUs from Zook Cabins, check out the above.

Can Casita Homes Be used as Long-Term Rentals?

Yes, in fact, in many areas, this is the only way that Casitas may be approved in your area. This is why it is crucial to familiarize yourself with your local zoning laws. This will not only help you understand which kind of living space you may or may not build, but also how it may be used. 

Notably, in California, Vermont, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Washington, there are grant programs for constructing an ADU or Casita. In fact, some areas will offer you up to $10,000 for the cost of constructing an approved ADU. To see if you are eligible for the funds, make sure that you get in touch with the local zoning office for a clear explanation of qualification. 

Can I Live Full-Time In My Casita and Rent Out The Larger Home? 

In many cases, yes, you can live full-time in the Casita and rent out the primary house. This is what many people do to age in place. The most significant requirement most municipalities have is that the owner occupy the ADU or primary residence. This is done to prevent people from creating mini apartment complexes, which may overcrowd the area.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Casita?

The average cost to construct a Casita is between $150-$300 a square foot. However, it is not always that clear. The primary reason this is not an easy question to answer is that the price is closely tied to the existing infrastructure. For example, if you plan to convert your garage into a Casita versus having a modular ADU placed at your property, the cost will be more cost-effective. 

However, keep in mind that if you plan to use your casita as a luxurious short-term rental, the more unique and comfortable the stay, the faster you will be able to recoup the cost of your investment. For example, take a look at this A-Frame ADU by Zook Cabins in Virginia that rents out for over $400 a night.

Do I Need a Permit for a Casita?

Yes, in most circumstances, a permit will be required to build a Casita, though it may need to be done through ADU provisions. In fact, trying to do a project like this without the proper permits may result in your project being shut down. However, by simply checking with your local zoning office, you can obtain the proper clearances and make your Casita project run smoothly. 

Can A Park Model Tiny Home Be Used As A Casita?

Kind of. The primary purpose of a Casita is to provide a permanent structure for long-term or short-term rental. However, RVIA tiny homes, like the ones we build here at Zook Cabins, are designed to meet Park Model RV standards. This means that using a park model tiny home as a Casita will vary significantly from an ADU. However, to understand if you can use a tiny home as a Casita, check out the table below and see what your state allows:

AL	IL	MN	NC	TX
AZ	IN	MS	ND	UT
AR	IA	MO	OH	VT
CA	KS	MT	OK	VA
CO	KY	NE	OR	WA
CT	LA	NV	PA	WV
DE	ME	NH	RI	WI
FL	MD	NJ	SC	WY
GA	MA	NM	SD
ID	MI	NY	TN

Conclusion…

As you can see, a Casita home can be one of the best decisions that you can make for your property. However, there may be some things that you will need to work through to make your Casita home work for you. If you are ready to add a Casita to your home, contact us here at Zook Cabins, and we would be happy to help you!